Kitchen Tour {Before and After}

Welcome to the heart of my home, my kitchen.  I'm so glad you're joining me, let me show you what has been going on around here....

We began a home improvement project back in November.  It started with the flooring in our kitchen and breakfast room (never just ends there though, right?).  Hopefully your jaw is not on the floor, but yes that is real hardwood that was ripped out of the kitchen and replaced with tile.  Are you thinking I must have lost my mind?  I love it and I would do it all over again!!

There are actually several reasons I did that, but the biggest one was I didn't want to constantly be wiping the wood near the back door.  Our four legged furry friend never did follow the command to wipe his feet when he came in.   That and the fact that there was so much wood.  I like wood but it was a little overboard for my taste.

As with all home improvement projects there is the mess that comes along with it.  See that layer of sawdust on the island?  The layer of sawdust was not just on the island, but on everything, all throughout the house.  The bright side was knowing in the end I would be thrilled with the outcome.  Just had to grin and bear it.

Did I mention how much I love it?

So much more appealing I think!  

 It was more than just the floors though.  We also relocated the microwave out of sight, and the cloud light went bye-bye.  I do not like cloud lights in the kitchen.  I wish builders would really reconsider that decision when they are constructing new homes, regardless of the price point, and don't even get me started on the backsplash bit.  That's the next thing on our to-do list.  

There, that is a better spot for the microwave, tucked behind the refrigerator.

I wanted to let you in on a little secret too.  The secret to making it always smell wonderful is hidden inside this little container.  I picked it up at a Marshall's Store  several years ago for only $16.99.

Inside is where I hide this somewhat ugly oil burner.  It is just the right size to set down inside.  The decorative piece has cutouts so the scent fills the whole entire house.  That scent, Leaves, from Bath and Body Works is my favorite!

Thanks for visiting my kitchen with me.

Have a wonderful week!

Just for fun, the Kitchen Tour is linked to these parties: My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia; New Nostalgia; Today's Creative Blog; Create With Joy; Sugar Bee Crafts; The Blackberry Vine; The Kurtz Corner; Funky Polkadot Giraffe; Clean and Scentsible; Lil Luna; My Girlish Whims; Creations by Kara; Rainbows and Honeysuckle; Southern Lovely; Seven Thirty Three; The Crafty Blog Stalker; Delightful Order; The Shabby Creek Cottage; Easy Living Mom; House of Hepworths; Blissful and Domestic; Shabby Nest; Chic on a Shoe String Decorating; Cheerios and Lattes; Or So She Says....; It's Overflowing; iheart naptime; Flamingo Toes; Be Different Act Normal; Sumo's Sweet Stuff; The Girl Creative; DIY Showoff; Making the World Cuter; C.R.A.F.T.; Salt Tree; Sugar and Dots; Rainbows and Honeysuckle